Fireproof sole for shoes.



C. A. CALDWELL.

FIREPBOOF SOLE FOR SHOES.

APPLICATION FILED ma. 29, |911.

1 ,285,933. L Patented N ov. 26, 1918.

f UNITED sTATEs PATENT AoEEroE., l ,Y CHARLES A. CALDWELL, OF JACKSO N, MICHIGAN, ASSIVGNOR OF ONE-THIRD E. RENCK AND ONE-THIRD TO OSCAR D. CALDWELL, BOTH OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

EIREPROOF SOLE FOR SHOES.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 26, 1918.

Application led March 29, 1917. Serial No. 158,232.

which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to soles for shoes, boots or the like, and refers more particularly to a new and improved construction of fire-proof sole for shoes particularly adapted for use by foundrymen, remen or others where there is danger of the hot metal or other particles burning the shoe.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a fire-proof sole for shoes and to so construct and arrange the sole that it is formed of reinforced asbestos or other tireproof material, and preferably also the outer lift of the heel is formed of the same or similar material; and in general to provide an improved and simplified construction of sole for shoes having fire-proof and weather-proof qualities' above referred to.

The invention also resides in such other features of construction and arrangements and combinations of parts as will more fully hereinafter appear.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a shoe embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view of the sole detached from the shoe;

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line of Fig. 1.

Describing in detail the particular embodiment of my invention shown in the drawings, A designates the sole of the shoe which is of full length and at its rear portion B is provided with a heel C. Secured to the sole by nails D or other suitable means is the inner sole E and in order to prevent the heat from being carried through the inner sole, there is preferably interposed between the inner sole and the outer sole a layer of cotton flannnel E. The same securing means is employed for fastening the upper part F of the shoe to the sole, the lower edge G of the upper being extended beneath the edge of the inner sole and positioned between the latter and the outer sole as shown in Fig. 3.

Heretofore in shoes used by foundrymen there has been danger owing to the dropping of hot iron on tothe leather which would not only destroy the shoe but seriously injure the workman. This objection is overcome in the present shoe by the novel arrangement of building both the sole and the upper of a tire-proof material, the fabric of the upper F being formed of a exible lire-proof material, such as a woven asbestos yarn, although the invention yin its broader aspects is not limited to this particular material.

In the particular construction shown in the drawings, the shoe is also provided with an eXpansible insert J to facilitate the putting on of the shoe, although lif desired this part could also be omitted or covered with fire-proof material. It will be noticed that the sole is built up of a plurality of layers M of asbestos cloth which are tightly compressed together, this cloth being preferably formed of very small brass wires R, around which there is woven the asbestos yarn. This metal-covered fabric is peculiarly adapted for the sole construction, as it gives greater wearing qualities and in addition to being used for the full sole is also employed for the outer lift N of the heel. The intermediate portion O of the heel can be formed of leather or other cheaper material, although the invention is not limited to this material arrangement. In addition to the laver between the inner sole and the outer sole there can, if desired, be employed a cotton fiannel lining Q for the upper or a heavy cotton sock furnished in place of the lining referred to, and various other changes in the details of construction and arrangements and combinations of parts can be made within the scope of my invention.

`What I claim. as my invention is: small Wires covered with asbestos yarn, and

l. A sole for shoes, comprising a plurala heel having its Outer lift formed With ity of tightly compressed layers of asbestos similar material and its inner or intermedil0 cloth formed of small Wires covered with asate lifts formed of relatively cheap material.

5 bestes yarn. ln testimony whereof I aHiX my signature.

2. A sole for shoes, comprising a plurality of tightly compressed layers formed of CHARLES A. CALDWELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ire cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington., D. C." 

